Spring suspension device



XML M1 June 24, 1924. 1,499,313

I D. B. WHITEHILL PRING SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed June 27, 1923 DauidBWlziielzill V INVENTOR WITNESSES $7M BY ATTORN EY Patented June 24-, 19224.

DAVID BROWN WHITEHILL', 0F CLARENDON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPRING SUSPENSION DEVICE.

Application filed June 27, 1923. I Serial No. 648,060.

To all 1071/0772 it may concern. 3

Be it known that I, DAVID B. VVHITEHILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarendon, in the county of Warren and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Spring Suspension Device, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a spring suspen- S1011 device, especially adapted to be em ployed as a substitute for the elastic usually embodied in suspenders and articles of a similar nature. I

The general object of the invention is to provide a spring device which is free and easy in its act-ion,"and yet possesses great strength and durability. I I I A more specific object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified in which the initial resistance to the pull is relatively slight, but is rapidly multiplied as the strength of the pull and consequent displacement increases.

The structure of the invention and the principles of its operation will be best understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the invention in its preferred form and the manner in which the same may be used.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pair of suspenders having my invention embodied therein.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the in vention detached.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 4; is a side elevation of the same.

In Figure 1 of the drawing, I have shown the invention as connecting the front ends of the shoulder straps 5 to the front button straps 6, and also as connecting the back straps 7 to the rear end of the shoulder straps and to the rear button strap 8, respectively.

The resilient part of the invention comprises a spring wire, having its intermediate portion formed into a series of contiguous oops 9, which are successively offset in a manner best shown in Figures 2 and 3. The end portions of the wire are continued upwardly, as at 10 and 11, from the end loops of the series, and then bent inwardly, as at 12 and 13 to cross each other, whence they are bent downwardly as at 14 and 15, in the same general direction, but diverging and terminating in loops or eyes 16 and 17. Connected to these eyes are a pair of toggle links 18 and 19, to the lower inner ends of which is connected a hook 20,'or similar attaching device.

In using the spring device to connect the hack straps 7 to the rear button strap 8, I have shown the toggle links 18 and 19 connected to a ring 21,.which in turn is connected to a hook22, which supports the strap 8. At the upper end of the back strap 7, I have shown the toggle links 18 and 19 connected to a similar ring 21, which in turn'is supported by a tab 23 located at the rear end of the shoulder straps" and folded over and'sewed thereto. The spring device forming the connection between the back strap 7 and the rear end of the shoulder straps is also preferably made from heavier wire than the connections at the other points. i p 1 In the operation of the spring device, the series of. loops 9 is enclosed and supported by any suspension device which is the equivalent of the loop formed at the end of the shoulder strap, so that a longitudinal pull is exerted in opposite directions on the hook 20, and the series of loops 9; that is, the pull is exerted in a direction perpendicular to the line joining the centers of the loops 9 and substantially in the plane defined by said centers and the portions 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the wire- A pull thus exerted at first causes a comparatively great displacement of the inner ends of the toggle links 18 and 19, and a comparatively slight displacement of the terminal eyes 16 and 17, consequently a comparatively light resistance is exerted against the initial pull on the hook 20. As the pull is increased however, the relative displacement of the hook decreases, while the relative displacement of the terminal eyes 16 and 17 in creases, and the resistance to the pull is multiplied in a constantly increasing ratio. It is to be further noted that the pull on the hook 20 causes a rotational tension on the loops 9 and not a longitudinal pull tending to separate the loops, as is the case in the ordinary coil spring. I

It will be seen, therefore, that the action of my improved spring device is to cause a free and easy movement with the resistance to the pull increasing at a rapidly multiplying ratio as the displacement becomes greater. With these facts in mind, therefore, I have indicated that the device is especially adapted for use in suspenders and similar articles of apparel. It is understood, however, that the device is not necessarily so limited in its application, but that it may be used Wherever a spring suspension is desired. It is also to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structural details of the invention Without departing from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: V

V 1. A spring device, comprising a resilient Wire having its intermediate portion bent to form a series oi contiguous loops successively offset, the end portions of the Wire being extended from the end loops and bent so as to cross each other in the central plane of the loops, and means connected to the terminals of the Wire in such a manner that a'longitudinal pull on said means 'will exert a pull on each end of the looped portion tending to close said loops.

"2. A spring device, comprising a resilient Wire having its intermediate portion bent to form a series of contiguous loops successively offset, the end portions of the Wire extending from the end loops parallel to each other and then crossing each other, and thence continuing in a direction opposite to the portions extending from the end loops but diverging, and a toggleconnecting the teraninals of said Wire, whereby a longitudinal pull on the toggle will exert a pull on each end of the looped portion tending to close the loops.

3. A spring device, comprising a resilient Wire having its intermediate portion bent to form a. series of contiguous loops successively ofiset, said Wire being extended from the end loops to form parallel portions, then crossing each other and contin uing to form divergent extremities extend- Wardly and then inwardly and crossing each other, and then continued outwardly and diverging and terminatingin'eyes, apair of links connected to the respective eyes, and a 100k connecting the inner ends of the links.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixedmy signa ture.

DAVID BROWN WVHITEHILL. 

